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Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria: August 8 – August 14, 2009

For Immediate Release: August 7, 2009

Saturday, August 8 – National Farmer’s Market Week Cooking Demonstration
The City of Alexandria’s Old Town Farmers' Market, the nation's oldest and continually-running market, salutes National Farmers' Market Week with a cooking demonstration on Saturday, August 8, at 9 a.m. featuring Chef Derek Simcik, Chef de Cuisine Jackson 20-Hotel Monaco. The market is open Saturdays at Market Square, 301 King St. from 5 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. year round.

Saturday, August 8 - Annual Irish Festival
The City of Alexandria will host the Irish Festival from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Waterfront Park, 1A Prince St. The event will feature traditional Irish entertainment, food and crafts. Admission is free! For additional information, visit www.ballyshaners.org.

Saturday, August 8 - Aretha Aretha! Live Jazz Performance
Join award-winning singer and Alexandria native Aretha Aretha and her outstanding band at 7 p.m. at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at www.alexblackhistory.org or by calling 703.838.4356.

Sunday, August 9 – West End Farmers’ Market
The public is invited to the West End Farmers’ Market at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. The West End Farmers’ Market is open to the public every Sunday through November 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please note, the market will not be held Sunday, August 23 due to the scheduling of the Annual Cambodian Day Festival. For additional information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Closing Tuesday, August 11 – Last Day of The Fine Art of Jazz Exhibition
The Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St, is featuring the work of Dan White, who spent almost two decades photographing Kansas City jazz musicians. The result of his work is The Fine Art of Jazz, a series of 50 black-and-white portraits of Kansas City jazz musicians. The exhibition also offers a look into the performers’ lives through excerpts of interviews with the musicians. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a suggested admission of $2. For more information, visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.838.4356.

Wednesday, August 12 – Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market
The public is invited to the Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market, located at the King Street Gardens Park, 1806 King St., just a few steps from the King Street Metro. The Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market is open Wednesdays through October 28 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. For additional information, visit the Farmers’ Market Online.

Thursday, August 13 – 18th Century Dance Lessons
In preparation for the Jane Austen Ball on August 15, learn 18th-century English country dancing from expert dance instructors at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal St. Class is from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and costs $12. Reservations are recommended. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.838.4242.

Thursday, August 13 - Local Author Reading Series
Ruth Baja Williams will discuss her new book, Detour Berlin, at 7:30 p.m. at the Duncan Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave. For further information, call 703.838.4566.

Friday, August 14 – Lantern Tours
Tour Gadsby’s Tavern Museum,134 N. Royal St., by candlelight with a costumed guide to experience the historic tavern and hotel before the advent of electricity. Tour times are 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., and the cost is $5 per person, ages 5 and up. The museum may be closed on some occasions; call 703.838.4242 in advance to verify tour dates.

Coming Soon!

Saturday, August 15 – Freedmen’s Cemetery History Chat and Tour
The Alexandria Archaeological Commission is hosting a free discussion and tour of the Freedmen’s Cemetery site, 1001 S. Washington St., at 10:30 a.m. City Archaeologist Pamela Cressey will share findings of the archaeological investigation and current plans for the Contrabands and Freedmen’s Cemetery Memorial. After a tour of the cemetery, participants are invited to meet at Perk Up coffee shop (829 S. Washington St.) for a discussion of archaeological and historical research and the experiences of freedmen in Alexandria during the Civil War. For more information, please visit www.alexandriaarchaeology.org or call 703.838.4399.

Saturday, August 15 – Family Tour Day
Don’t miss the last Family Tour Day of the summer! Visitors to Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St., on Family Tour Day will experience the historic tavern through our Junior Docent tours. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Junior Docents, volunteers from grades 2 through 5, will be stationed at stops on the tour, including the tap room, bedchambers, assembly room and dining room. Visitors can tour at their own pace while their kids learn about Alexandria history from other kids! Admission is $5 per adult and $3 per child ages 11 to 17. For more information, please call 703.838.4242 or visit www.gadsbystavern.org.

Monday, August 17- Local Author Reading Series
Laura Hillenbrand will discuss her book, Seabiscuit, at 7 p.m. at the Duncan Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave. For further information, call 703.838.4566.

Friday, August 21 – Civil Rights Sit-In Commemoration
Join the Alexandria Library, Alexandria Black History Museum and Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School at the Barrett Branch library, 717 Queen St., at 10 a.m. for a special program commemorating the 70th anniversary of the 1939 Alexandria Library sit-in. Speakers and students will honor the bravery of five young men of color who were arrested for simply sitting down and reading a book inside the City’s library, as well as the legacy of Alexandria attorney Samuel W. Tucker, who organized the groundbreaking sit-in. For more information, please visit www.alexandriava.gov/library.

Sunday, August 23 – Annual Cambodian Day Festival
The City of Alexandria's will host the Annual Cambodian Community Day Festival from noon to 6 p.m. at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. Admission is free and the event will be held rain or shine. For additional information on the Cambodian Community Day Festival, visit www.cambodiancommunityday.org

Ongoing!

Open through September 20 – “Living Legends” Exhibition
The latest class of Living Legends of Alexandria is profiled in an exhibit at The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum, 201 S. Washington St. This photography exhibition, featuring the work of Nina Tisara, celebrates people who have made remarkable contributions to the quality of life in Alexandria. “Living Legends of Alexandria 2008-09” showcases 26 nominees who have worked to improve life in Alexandria. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The suggested admission is $2. For more information, visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703.838.4994.